December 09, 2022

Environmental policy must be integral to local governance

topic:	Climate action
located:	Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh
editor:	Shadi Khan Saif

A clean and healthy environment for all will not pragmatically be achieved if the status quo of greenwashed politics continues in the same way in both the Global North and the Global South. The relationship between domestic policies and the wellbeing of the environment run much deeper than perceived. From major development projects to fuel pricing, education policies to health sector and basic service deliveries, aspects of environmental assessments must be considered in every government sector.  

The majority of the world’s population in marginalised communities are denied the right to clean air and water. In countries that are among the worst affected by climate change, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, domestic politics hardly consider the environment in their policies. The green trends that do make it to political agendas come from the pressure of international treaties and platforms. 

So much more could be done, however, that would not only bring positive change to the lives of local community members, but would contribute to mitigating climate risks globally. For example, modifying educational systems to promote local and innovative solutions to the climate crisis, as well as including considerations of environmental impact on development projects. 

Governments of developing countries could learn many lessons from the 2018 Yellow Vest protesters in France, for example, who exposed the growing divide between the rich and the poor after fuel price hikes. In contrast, it is discouraging to see politicians in Pakistan embezzle international aid money meant to relieve the millions of people affected by the devastating impacts of climate change, like the mass floods of this year.

On the other hand, in relatively richer and developed countries, the masses seem to be shepherded into a corner to believe that an environmentally friendly lifestyle only means reducing the use of plastic bags and straws. This is a cunning corporate trap to make the citizens of the world take these matters passively on an individual level. 

The false environmental awakening has turned into a status symbol and self-congratulatory culture of the urban elite that in the end has a small impact on the global climate crisis. There is much more the people in the developed world can do, like keeping a check on the corporate sector lobbyists that influence their government’s national and international environmental policies.

After all, we all share the world and are equally responsible for our actions and inactions that can have serious impacts on the lives of billions.

Photo by Vicky Sim

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